Trend Naija

Nollywood actor Yul Edochie and his second wife, Judy Austin, have announced that they are expecting their fourth child together.

The announcement

The couple revealed the pregnancy in a new skit shared on Sunday, 15 November 2026, confirming rumours that had been circulating online. They already have three children together, and Judy has children from previous relationships. The news drew a flood of comments online, ranging from humour to disapproval.

May's new song

On the same day, Yul's first wife, May Edochie, released a gospel single titled 'Sorom', recorded with an artist called Nwando, on major streaming platforms. Announcing it on Instagram, she said there was a good reason for releasing it that day and described God as always being with her and never letting her enemies triumph over her. The lyrics draw on biblical imagery about escaping a snare and finding joy.

Background

Yul's public relationship with Judy Austin and his separation from May, with whom he has children, have been among the most talked-about celebrity stories in Nigeria in recent years. The couple's daughter was recently in the news for buying her first car.

The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has declared that it will not endorse any politician or party ahead of the 2027 elections.

What the clerics said

At a gathering in Ibadan on Saturday, 14 November 2026, the chairman of the league's board of trustees, Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam-Abdullahi El-Ilory, said the league had neither the capacity nor the intention to name a preferred candidate for any office. He said Islamic clerics are not politicians and their duty does not include campaigning for any individual or party. League president Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere said imams must stay focused on religious guidance.

Background

The statement came after Oyo governor and APM presidential candidate Seyi Makinde made a donation to the league. The lecturers' union ASUU also said this week that it would not endorse any candidate. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

A court in Jordan has sentenced three men to death by hanging for a deadly attack on a church in the south of the country.

The verdict

The State Security Court on Sunday, 15 November 2026, found the men, two brothers and a relative by marriage, guilty of terrorist attacks resulting in death, weapons offences, conspiracy to commit terrorist acts and promoting the ideas of a terrorist organisation, according to a statement from the Jordanian military.

The attack

Gunmen killed nine people and wounded 25 when they stormed a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in Hammoud village, in the Karak governorate, on 23 October 2026. The three suspects fled after the attack and were arrested three days later.

Background

The attack shocked Jordan, a Muslim-majority country where Christians make up around three per cent of the population.

The constitutional amendment to create state police in Nigeria has cleared a major hurdle, with 32 state Houses of Assembly approving it.

What the Senate said

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said in Abuja on Sunday, 15 November 2026, that 32 state assemblies had approved the State Police (Constitution Alteration) Bill, 2026, which is more than the two-thirds required under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution. He gave the remaining four assemblies until Tuesday, 17 November, to submit their reports, but said the National Assembly now has a duty to send the bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent whether or not they meet the deadline.

What the bill would do

The amendment would replace Nigeria's single, centralised police force with a Federal Police Service and State Police Services, allowing states to set up their own forces.

Background

Calls for state police have grown stronger in recent years amid security threats including banditry and kidnapping. The senior civil servants' union this week also called for state police to be created.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has taken a step towards building a new refinery in Edo State.

The approval

NNPC's Executive Vice President for Downstream, Mumuni Dagazau, received the Certificate of Occupancy for the proposed Oredo Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited during a courtesy visit to Governor Monday Okpebholo at the Edo State Government House in Benin City on Friday, 13 November 2026. He thanked the governor for providing the land and documents, and said the project would help increase local refining capacity, reduce dependence on imported fuel and strengthen energy security.

Background

Nigeria's refining landscape has been transformed by the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Refinery in Lagos, whose fuel exports to the United Kingdom have now overtaken crude oil sales, according to UK trade figures. No cost, capacity or timeline for the Oredo refinery was announced.

Nigeria's petroleum trade with the United Kingdom has shifted sharply towards refined fuel, according to UK government figures.

The figures

The UK's trade and investment factsheet, released on 6 November 2026 and reported this weekend, shows Britain bought £1.02 billion worth of refined petroleum products from Nigeria in the 12 months to June 2026. That was more than double the figure a year earlier and made up 53.5 per cent of all UK goods imports from Nigeria. Over the same period, UK purchases of Nigerian crude oil fell by 56.2 per cent to £550.3 million, meaning refined fuel exports exceeded crude shipments by about £467 million. Nigeria recorded a petroleum trade surplus of about £245 million with Britain.

Why it matters

The change reflects the growth of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos, which can process 650,000 barrels a day and has been expanding its exports.

Background

The government has also announced plans for a new NNPC refinery in Edo State.

The federal government says it plans to pilot round-the-clock electricity supply in parts of Lagos, Ogun and Abuja.

What the minister said

Speaking at a luncheon with senior media editors in Lagos on Friday, 13 November 2026, Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe said the Lagos–Ogun axis and the Abuja electricity distribution franchise area had been selected for the proposed 24-hour supply pilot. He said the areas account for more than half of Nigeria's electricity demand, and that the scheme would focus on economic centres where reliable power could boost industry and reduce dependence on costly generators.

Conditions

The minister said implementation would depend on technical readiness and commercial viability, and no start date was announced.

Background

NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi this week promised 10,000 megawatts within four years, while a cleric called on the minister to resign over the power situation. Another state has separately announced a target of 24-hour power by 2029.

Actress and fashion entrepreneur Temi Otedola and her husband, singer Mr Eazi, have welcomed their first child.

The announcement

Temi shared the news on Instagram on Sunday, 15 November 2026, posting a photo of a pair of cream knitted baby socks with a small bow and a caption counting their blessings. The couple did not immediately reveal the baby's name or sex.

Their story

The couple announced in May that they were expecting their first child. Temi, the daughter of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola, and Mr Eazi, whose real name is Oluwatosin Ajibade, got engaged in April 2022 after dating for about four years. They married in August 2025 at Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík, Iceland. Temi also recently shared a message marking their marriage milestone, which drew a sweet reaction from her husband.

Background

Mr Eazi is a singer and music entrepreneur, while Temi has acted in films including 'Citation'.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has reduced petrol pump prices at its retail stations in four cities, according to its latest price sheet reported on Sunday, 15 November 2026.

The new prices

In Lagos, the price fell by ₦61, from ₦1,350 to ₦1,289 per litre, the lowest of the four locations. In Abuja it dropped by ₦55, from ₦1,380 to ₦1,325. Kaduna motorists will now pay ₦1,329, down ₦52 from ₦1,381, while Sokoto saw the biggest cut, ₦66, with the price falling from ₦1,378 to ₦1,312.

Why prices are falling

The cuts follow a series of reductions in wholesale depot prices and Dangote Refinery's switch to pricing linked to international petrol prices, which reportedly brought its loading price down to ₦1,250 per litre. MRS stations and depot owners have also lowered their prices in recent days.

Background

A recent comparison listed Nigeria among the countries with the cheapest petrol in West Africa.

Suspected bandits have killed a senior aide to Zamfara State governor Dauda Lawal during an early morning attack in Kaura Namoda.

What happened

According to reports, the attack happened on Sunday, 15 November 2026, in the Low Cost area of Kaura Namoda town, as residents gathered for the dawn prayer. The gunmen killed Nasiru Sani Kaura, the governor's senior special assistant, and reportedly abducted several worshippers. Residents said the attackers fired indiscriminately and drove people from their homes.

Who he was

Kaura was described as a grassroots politician and community leader, and his death has left the town in mourning. He was buried according to Islamic rites.

Background

Zamfara is one of the states worst hit by banditry and kidnapping in the North-West. The attack came days after the DSS intercepted a large consignment of weapons allegedly being smuggled from Niger Republic to bandits in neighbouring Sokoto State. The police had not issued a statement at the time of writing, and it is not clear how many people were abducted.

President Bola Tinubu and his former close ally Rauf Aregbesola have met at least three times since their political falling-out, according to a senior figure in the ruling party.

What he said

Professor Sola Adeyeye, director of electioneering planning for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign in the South-West, said in an interview reported on Sunday, 15 November 2026, that he knew the two men had met about three times since the rift began. He described them as former very close friends, said the hurt is deeper when people who care about each other feel betrayed, and suggested time could heal the relationship. He said he had personally tried to broker a reconciliation but did not give details.

Background

Aregbesola, a former Osun governor and minister, was one of Tinubu's closest political allies for decades before they fell out. He is now national secretary of the Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), whose leadership was voided by a Federal High Court this month, a ruling the party has appealed. Aregbesola has not commented on Adeyeye's claim.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has won praise after attending the traditional wedding of his orderly in Abia State.

The wedding

Disu attended the ceremony on Saturday, 14 November 2026, at the family compound of a traditional ruler in Ukwu West Local Government Area, where his orderly, Victor Nnah Sunday, married his bride in a colourful ceremony rooted in Igbo tradition. Family members, friends and well-wishers gathered for the celebration.

Why it drew attention

Many social media users praised the police chief for travelling to celebrate with a junior officer, seeing it as a sign of good leadership and of the relationship between him and those who serve closest to him. Some also noted that the Yoruba police chief had travelled to the South-East for the occasion.

Background

This week he warned officers not to allow politicians to use them during the 2027 elections.

Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham has drawn attention after a video showed her stepping in to stop her police escorts from roughing up a group of young men on a Lagos street.

What happened

In the footage, which spread on X after the incident on Saturday, 14 November 2026, the actress walks into a crowded scene involving the young men and onlookers and calmly but firmly tells her escorts to back off. The situation quickly calmed down after her intervention.

The context

The encounter reportedly happened during a film production. Groups of area boys, often called agberos, are known to approach film crews shooting in public places in Lagos and demand payment before allowing work to continue, which can lead to tense confrontations.

How people reacted

Many social media users praised the actress for preventing the situation from escalating, while others debated the use of police escorts by celebrities. The police recently opened an investigation after a video showed officers escorting businessman Blord.

The Lagos State Government plans to begin construction of the proposed Epe International Airport in 2027.

The announcement

According to a statement by the Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), reported on Sunday, 15 November 2026, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the timeline at an APC governorship campaign event in Epe. His deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said significant progress had been made on the documentation and groundwork needed for the project.

What it could mean

Lagos APC spokesman Seye Oladejo described the airport as a major infrastructure investment that could turn Epe into an important aviation, industrial and commercial hub, and said it would create opportunities for residents and businesses along the Lekki–Epe corridor.

Background

Lagos is currently served by Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, which handles most of Nigeria's international air traffic. The Lekki–Epe corridor has seen rapid development in recent years, including the Dangote Refinery and the Lekki Deep Sea Port. No cost or funding details were given in the latest announcement.

American boxing legend Floyd Mayweather has been spotted training in Abuja during a visit to Nigeria.

Why he is in Nigeria

Mayweather arrived in the capital on Thursday, 13 November 2026, ahead of a press conference the next day to launch the TMT Frontrow Fight Series, a programme designed to give young Nigerian boxers access to professional coaching, international exposure and competitive fights. Organisers say boxing academies will be set up in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Calabar and other cities, and the first event in the series is planned for 2027.

Training for Bangkok

Videos of the 49-year-old training in Abuja delighted fans online. He is preparing for an exhibition bout against Australian light-heavyweight Matt Floyd in Bangkok, Thailand, on 19 December 2026.

Background

Mayweather retired from professional boxing in 2017 with an unbeaten record of 50 wins, 27 of them by knockout.

Otutochi 'Tochi' Wigwe, the eldest daughter of the late banker Herbert Wigwe, has married her partner, Wilson Omogbale Aikhomu, in a traditional ceremony in Lagos.

The ceremony

The wedding on Saturday, 14 November 2026, drew prominent guests including former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Lagos governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, businessman Aliko Dangote, the Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, banker Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Seyi Tinubu. Davido and Flavour performed for guests.

The couple

The groom is a Lagos-based investment professional and managing partner of an investment firm. He is the son of the late Rear Admiral Joseph Aikhomu and a nephew of former Chief of General Staff Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, and was a close friend of Tochi's late brother, Chizi. Tochi, 28, leads her late father's non-profit organisation.

Background

Herbert Wigwe, chief executive of Access Holdings, died in a helicopter crash in California in February 2024 alongside his wife, Chizoba, and son, Chizi.

Representatives of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde have reportedly been meeting to discuss a possible alliance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The talks

According to reports on Sunday, 15 November 2026, sources from both camps say the prospect of an alliance is looking increasingly likely. An ADC leader in the South-West, speaking anonymously, described the discussions as fresh, purposeful and promising, and suggested an announcement would come before the 16 January election. The talks are said to be separate from wider opposition efforts to agree on a single candidate. Neither Atiku nor Makinde has publicly confirmed any deal.

Background

Atiku is the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while Makinde is running on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). Makinde hosted an opposition summit in Ibadan in April to discuss a joint candidate, but no agreement emerged, with Atiku, Makinde and Peter Obi each pressing ahead with their own campaigns. Makinde said this week that talks with both Atiku and Obi remained open. ADC running mate Rotimi Amaechi also told a rally in Bauchi that the APM would win one South-West state.

Two African countries have withdrawn from the 75th Miss Universe pageant because their contestants could not get permission to travel to Puerto Rico, a US territory.

Who is affected

According to reports on Sunday, 15 November 2026, Zambia and the Republic of the Congo have pulled out, while representatives from Zimbabwe and South Sudan were still awaiting decisions ahead of the final on 24 November. Miss Universe Zambia said its representative, a 25-year-old registered nurse who won the national title in October, could not secure the required travel authorisation, and blamed US travel restrictions rather than any failing by her or the organisers. The Republic of the Congo had been due to send its first ever Miss Universe contestant.

Nigeria's contestant

Nigeria is also affected by partial US entry restrictions, but its representative, Danielle Adewusi, arrived in San Juan on 9 November and has joined the preliminary activities.

Background

Because Puerto Rico is a US territory, contestants travelling there must meet US immigration requirements.

Akwa Ibom State governor Umo Eno has drawn praise after standing in as father of the bride at the wedding of a young woman raised in a state-owned children's home.

The wedding

At the traditional marriage and reception held at Ibom Hall in Uyo, reported on Sunday, 15 November 2026, the governor presented the couple with a new car and ₦5 million. The bride was abandoned at birth and grew up in the state government's Special Children's Home in Uyo. She was given automatic employment in the state civil service by the governor in December 2025.

What he said

Eno said it was a moment of great joy because the bride, who grew up without a home, had now been given one, and said he hoped her story would inspire others that everyone has a destiny regardless of the circumstances of their birth. He thanked the groom, urged him to love and protect his wife, and warned against domestic violence.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says all 62 contacts linked to the country's imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease, a species of Ebola, have completed their monitoring without any further spread.

The update

Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Friday, 13 November 2026, NCDC Director-General Dr Jide Idris said the last contact had been discharged after completing the mandatory 21-day monitoring period. He said 13 of the contacts developed fever or other symptoms during monitoring but tested negative for the disease. Seven other alerts reported over three weeks in Adamawa, Rivers, Borno, Lagos and Ekiti were investigated, and all suspected cases tested negative.

Not yet Ebola-free

Idris cautioned that the end of contact monitoring was not a formal declaration that Nigeria was free of the disease, and said surveillance must continue. He said any such declaration would depend on public health criteria and ongoing surveillance, especially as transmission continues in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Background

Earlier this week, the NCDC said 28 contacts were still under watch. The United States has temporarily barred travellers who have been in the DRC in the past 21 days. Health authorities urge anyone with symptoms such as fever, weakness or unexplained bleeding after travel to report to a health facility.

The federal government has issued a travel advisory warning Nigerians about the health risks of Ethiopia's high altitude, after the deaths of 16 Nigerians transiting through Addis Ababa.

The advisory

In a statement by Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Oluwafemi Adeniyi, reported on Saturday, 14 November 2026, the government urged travellers with existing medical conditions, especially heart and respiratory problems, to be cautious and to obtain medical clearance before taking journeys with stopovers in the Ethiopian capital.

Why altitude matters

Addis Ababa sits about 2,355 metres above sea level, where lower air pressure reduces the oxygen available. The ministry noted that dry air, stronger sunlight and faster fluid loss can also cause problems, from headaches and breathlessness to serious conditions such as swelling of the brain. Healthy travellers usually adapt within a few days, but people with underlying illnesses face much higher risks.

Background

Addis Ababa is a major transit hub for Nigerian travellers. The ministry did not give details of the individual deaths.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned its members and officials not to use the union's name to endorse political candidates or parties ahead of the 2027 elections.

What ASUU said

Speaking at the union's 2026 Heroes' Day celebration in Abuja, reported on Saturday, 14 November 2026, ASUU National President Professor Christopher Piwuna said individual lecturers keep their constitutional right to vote and take part in politics, but must not present their personal choices as the union's position. He said no member had permission to use ASUU's name to support any candidate or party, that the union remained apolitical, and that any official found compromising that stance by associating with parties or politicians would face disciplinary action.

Background

The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a suspected illegal cosmetics production and packaging operation in Lagos.

What was found

In a video shared on the agency's X account on Saturday, 14 November 2026, NAFDAC enforcement officials were seen inspecting a two-storey building in the tools and hardware section of the Trade Fair Complex. They displayed unlabelled cosmetics, empty product containers, packaging materials and finished creams found on different floors. Some packaging bore product descriptions such as turmeric and vitamin C, alongside empty shampoo tubes and lotion containers. The agency also reported finding falsified medicines and banned soaps.

Why it matters

The officials said the find raised concerns about cosmetics of unknown origin and regulatory status circulating in the market.

Background

It was not immediately clear whether any arrests were made.

A man who was presumed dead after an accident in Delta State has reportedly woken up in a mortuary.

What happened

According to reports on Saturday, 14 November 2026, the man was involved in a motorcycle accident near Evwreni and was taken to a mortuary after being presumed dead. He is said to have later woken up there. A video shared online shows residents celebrating his survival. Voices in the video say that when he woke up, the first thing he asked for was a cigarette and a lighter.

Celebrations

Residents rubbed white powder on their faces and bodies, a traditional sign of celebration often used at a child's birth, and also applied it to the survivor. Others shared snacks with passers-by to mark the occasion, while some urged him to go for a proper medical check-up.

Background

It is not clear who declared the man dead or whether he was examined by a doctor before being taken to the mortuary. The authorities had not commented on the incident at the time of writing.

Details of the Federal High Court judgment that nullified the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have emerged from the certified true copy of the ruling.

The resignation letter

Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment on 5 November 2026, examined three main issues. The first was a letter said to show that the party's deputy national chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, had resigned in May 2025, before the meeting that installed the new leadership. After comparing signatures, the judge found clear differences, described the letter as fictitious or fabricated and rejected it as evidence.

Powers of the executive committee

The ADC argued that its constitution allowed the National Executive Committee to dissolve the old leadership and appoint a new one. The judge accepted that parties may run their internal affairs, but held that this cannot override the Constitution and the Electoral Act, which require parties to elect their principal officers through periodic democratic elections. He ruled that the committee's administrative powers did not allow it to appoint national executives in place of an election.

No proof of a vote

The judge also found that the party could not show that members or delegates had been given the chance to vote for candidates of their choice, and said notifying INEC of a meeting was not the same as complying with the law.

Background

The judgment also voided the primary that produced Atiku Abubakar as the ADC's presidential candidate. The party has appealed, and INEC says it will obey the final court decision. Atiku and his running mate Rotimi Amaechi are continuing to campaign.

Rotimi Amaechi, the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), says the party is on course to defeat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

His predictions

Speaking at the ADC's presidential rally in Bauchi on Saturday, 14 November 2026, Amaechi gave a state-by-state breakdown of the race. He claimed Atiku Abubakar had secured the support of 13 states across the North-East and North-West, and said Tinubu could count on only five of the six South-West states, with the sixth going to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), the party of Oyo governor Seyi Makinde. He named Niger, Kogi and Nasarawa as North Central states Atiku would win easily, said the South-East would offer Tinubu nothing, and said the ADC would campaign hard in the South-South.

Background

Amaechi, a former Rivers governor and transport minister, is Atiku's running mate. Their candidacy faces a legal challenge after a court voided the ADC primary that produced them, a judgment the party has appealed. Tinubu's campaign has received endorsements from several state leaders in recent days. The claims could not be independently verified. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

Social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) has raised questions about a photograph showing the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with a leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the UK.

What he said

In a post reported on Saturday, 14 November 2026, VDM clarified that the man wearing an APC-branded cap in the photo was not INEC chairman Professor Joash Amupitan, but Tunde Doherty, chairman of the APC's UK chapter. He asked what the APC official was doing with the INEC chairman and whether the UK leaders of other parties, including the NDC, Labour Party, PDP and ADC, had been given the same opportunity to meet him. He went on to claim that INEC was compromised.

Background

Amupitan was in London this week to speak at Chatham House about preparations for the 2027 elections. Protesters confronted him outside the venue, accusing the commission of bias, and he pledged to reject any political appointment after leaving office to show his independence. INEC has also denied reports that he plans to resign. INEC had not responded to VDM's post at the time of writing, and the circumstances of the photo are not clear.

APC UK chairman responds

Tunde Doherty, chairman of the APC in the UK, later rejected claims that he was part of the INEC chairman's entourage at Chatham House. He said opposition figures had deliberately misrepresented a photo of him taken outside the venue, that he had never held any position or role in INEC and had no affiliation with it, and that as a party leader he had a right to attend public policy discussions there.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has dismissed a viral message claiming that about 100 fake professors had been uncovered in Nigerian universities.

What the NUC said

In a post on Saturday, 14 November 2026, the commission said the message, titled 'About 100 Fake Professors Uncovered In Nigeria Universities', combined a link to a 2019 news report with a list that had been fabricated recently. It said a careful reading showed the two had been stitched together to give a false impression, and described the message as deliberate misinformation meant to damage the reputation of the university system and Nigerian academics.

The commission's position

The NUC said its current leadership, under Executive Secretary Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, who took office in December 2024, had worked to strengthen integrity and transparency in the university system.

Christian Cousins, the former child actor best known for the 1990 comedy 'Kindergarten Cop', has died.

What happened

Police in Irvine, California, said officers went to his home on 20 October after his family requested a welfare check because they could not reach him, and found him dead inside. They said there were no suspicious circumstances. The county coroner took custody of his remains, and no official cause of death has been released. News of his death spread this week after his half-brother, Jonas Roeser, posted a tribute on Instagram, saying Cousins had been seriously ill with liver disease.

His career

Cousins and his twin brother, Joseph, shared the role of Dominic Palmieri in 'Kindergarten Cop', starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

This is Nigerian billionaire Tony Elumelu with a friend during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days in Sokoto, around 1985.

Two young men and their dreams

Look at the photograph and you see two young men enjoying their youth, probably talking about life, their dreams and what the future might hold.

At the time, Elumelu was just another young Nigerian graduate trying to find his feet. He had ambitions, like many young people, but there was no guarantee of where life would take him.

The job he was not 'qualified' for

Years later, after earning his master's degree, he came across a job advertisement from Allstates Trust Bank. The bank wanted applicants with at least a Second Class Upper degree, popularly known as a 2:1.

Elumelu had graduated with a 2:2.

For many people, that would have been reason enough to forget the job and move on. The bank had clearly stated its requirements, and he did not meet them.

But he decided to try anyway. He applied, explaining that although his result fell below the requirement, he was intelligent, hardworking and ambitious, and ready to prove himself if given the chance.

He got the job.

The turning point

That single decision became an important turning point in his career. He worked his way up through banking, took on bigger and bigger responsibilities, and eventually became one of the most influential businessmen and investors in Africa.

Today, he is a billionaire and respected entrepreneur whose investments have created opportunities for thousands of people across the continent.

The lesson

Look at that old NYSC photograph again. The young man in Sokoto could hardly have imagined what was waiting for him.

Your result may not be the best. You may have started life without connections, money or anyone powerful to open doors for you. But life has a way of surprising people who refuse to give up on themselves.

Imagine if Elumelu had seen the 2:1 requirement and simply walked away. That opportunity might have passed him by.

Sometimes the biggest mistake you can make is rejecting yourself before anyone else has had the chance to consider you. Apply for that job. Pursue that opportunity. You may not always succeed, but you will never know what could have happened if you never tried.

Over to you

How many opportunities have people missed simply because they believed they were not qualified enough?

Zainab Musa Kwankwaso, daughter of former Kano governor and senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has reportedly filed for divorce from her husband, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, after 20 years of marriage.

The court case

The case was filed at the Upper Area Court in Gudu, Abuja. A civil summons directs Governor Yusuf to appear in court on Tuesday, 17 November 2026.

Zainab is reported to be seeking khul'i, a process under Islamic law that allows a wife to end her marriage, and has offered to refund the dowry Yusuf paid when they married.

The summons is not a divorce order, and the court has yet to rule on the matter.

Her reasons

According to the filing, Zainab cited a long absence of mutual care, love and emotional connection in the marriage, and said reconciliation efforts had failed.

The couple married on 29 July 2006, when Zainab was working as an aide to her father, who was then governor of Kano State. They have six children.

The political backdrop

The marriage once symbolised the close bond between Kwankwaso and Yusuf, his long-time political protégé. That relationship has since broken down.

In January 2026, Governor Yusuf left Kwankwaso's party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move Kwankwaso's camp described as a betrayal.

Some reports have linked the political split to tension in the marriage, but the reasons given in the court filing focus on the breakdown of the relationship itself.

No comment yet

As of Saturday, neither Governor Yusuf, Zainab nor Senator Kwankwaso had made a public statement on the divorce, and the Kano State Government had not commented.

Over to you

Did politics cost this 20-year marriage, or is this simply a private family matter that should be left to the court?

Former Barcelona, PSG and AC Milan star Ronaldinho is set to return to competitive football at the age of 46.

The comeback

Ravenna manager Andrea Mandorlini confirmed on Friday, 13 November 2026, that the Brazilian will start for the Italian Serie C club in a local derby against Forli on Sunday, 15 November, as one of three forwards. Mandorlini described him as one of the greatest players of the modern era, adding that the coaching staff would decide together how long he plays.

A long wait

Ronaldinho joined Ravenna as an investor in August. His last competitive appearance was for Brazilian club Fluminense in September 2015, making Sunday's match his first in more than ten years.

Background

Ronaldinho won the Ballon d'Or in 2005 and the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, and is remembered as one of the most gifted and entertaining players of his generation.

Portugal's football federation has honoured Cristiano Ronaldo by permanently changing the design of the number 7 on the national team shirt.

The tribute

The Portuguese Football Federation announced on X that the style of number 7 worn by Ronaldo will not be used by any other player, and a new version will appear on future shirts. According to reports on Saturday, 14 November 2026, every Portugal player will wear a number 7 shirt during the walk-out before their Nations League match against Denmark as a collective farewell.

How it ended

Ronaldo's international career reportedly came to an end after a public disagreement with Jorge Jesus over a substitution during a match in September.

Background

Ronaldo is Portugal's all-time record goalscorer and most-capped player and led the country to the Euro 2016 title. The gesture mirrors the honour Argentina gave Lionel Messi after his international retirement.

Oriyomi Hamzat, the Accord Party's governorship candidate in Oyo State, has declared support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election in 2027.

What he said

Speaking to journalists on Saturday, 14 November 2026, on the sidelines of the University of Ibadan's convocation, where he received a master's degree in peace and conflict resolution, the Ibadan-based broadcaster said he would not act against the President, citing loyalty. His comments came as voters in the South-West weigh three prominent southern presidential candidates: Tinubu, Oyo governor Seyi Makinde of the APM and Peter Obi of the NDC.

Background

Hamzat is a popular radio presenter in Ibadan. He is running to succeed Makinde, who is in his second and final term and is now challenging Tinubu for the presidency. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has sealed a pharmaceutical company following the earlier recovery of about 3.18 million capsules suspected to be pregabalin.

A ₦900 million haul

The task force estimates the value of the seized stock at more than ₦900 million. Photos of the seizure show cartons packed with boxes and blister packs of red-and-white capsules.

Pregabalin is a prescription medicine used to treat nerve pain and some other conditions. It is widely misused in parts of northern Nigeria, where it is taken in large doses for its sedating effects, and is a growing concern for health and security authorities.

Questions for the regulators

The task force has also raised allegations of possible regulatory failures that may have allowed such a large quantity of the drug to circulate.

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had not responded to the allegations at the time of reporting.

What is confirmed

The sealing of the company is confirmed. The allegations against the company and against regulatory officials remain under investigation and should not be treated as established facts.

Over to you

How could controlled medicines reach illegal distribution networks on this scale, and what should regulators do to stop it?

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Tinubu administration of pushing Nigeria's baking industry to the brink.

What he said

In a statement released in Bauchi on Saturday, 14 November 2026, by Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication for his campaign, Atiku said the Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria had lost close to 40 per cent of its members in two years. He was in the state as part of what his campaign calls its 'affordable life' tour.

Rising costs

According to the statement, energy accounts for roughly half of most bakeries' production costs. It said one operator's monthly diesel bill had risen from ₦9 million to ₦19 million, and that switching to alternative power could cost a small bakery ₦40 million to ₦50 million, money most cannot raise. The statement blamed high energy prices and expensive financing for the closures.

Bakers confirm

The Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria itself said at an exhibition in Lagos that about 40 per cent of its members had shut down in the past two years because of rising energy costs, expensive loans and economic conditions. Its president, Emmanuel Onuorah, called on the federal government to provide grants and single-digit interest loans to businesses in the real sector, warning that more closures could threaten jobs.

Background

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has made the cost of living a central theme of his campaign. The government says its reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy, were necessary to stabilise the economy and free up money for infrastructure. The Presidency had not responded to the statement at the time of writing. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

Atiku launched the North-East leg of his campaign in Bauchi on 14 November, holding stakeholder meetings and a rally that his campaign said drew a large crowd, and promised to carry his message of affordable living across the country.

The federal government has signed a concession agreement for the Port Harcourt International Airport with a private operator.

The deal

The agreement with PH Airport Limited was signed at the office of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, according to reports on Saturday, 14 November 2026. The concessionaire was represented by its group managing director, Eyo Asuquo. The heads of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, ministry officials and aviation union leaders attended the signing. The company reportedly plans to recruit more workers.

Unions back the deal

Ben Nnabue, president of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, said organised labour supported the agreement after receiving assurances that no aviation worker would lose their job because of the concession, adding that protecting jobs remained the unions' top priority.

Background

The government has been seeking private investors to run and upgrade major airports.

Nollywood actress Hilda Dokubo has criticised Minister of Works Dave Umahi over his campaigning for President Bola Tinubu.

What she said

In a video posted on Instagram on Saturday, 14 November 2026, the actress is seen watching Umahi speak at an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign event in Ebonyi State. She then addresses the minister directly, arguing that campaigns should focus on what officials have actually delivered for people rather than repeated appeals for votes.

How people reacted

The video spread widely on X. Many users pushed back, pointing to what they described as a substantial record of road projects under Umahi's ministry.

Background

Dokubo, a veteran actress, has often spoken out on political issues. Umahi, a former Ebonyi governor, is one of the most visible members of the Tinubu government and is campaigning for the President's re-election. He had not responded to the video at the time of writing.

Brian Tracy, the motivational speaker and bestselling author whose books shaped how millions of people approach work and personal goals, has died at the age of 82.

His death

Tracy died on 12 November 2026, according to reports. No official cause of death has been made public. His grandson shared an emotional tribute online.

His work

Tracy built his career in sales, marketing, real estate and consulting before founding Brian Tracy International. His company says he gave more than 5,000 talks and seminars to over five million people and wrote more than 70 books, translated into dozens of languages. His best-known book, 'Eat That Frog!', taught readers to tackle the task they are most likely to put off first. Other popular titles included 'Goals!' and 'No Excuses! The Power of Self-Discipline'.

It is one of the lesser-known chapters of Africa's liberation story, and a remarkable act of solidarity between two African nations.

A leader in danger

Patrice Lumumba, Congo's first Prime Minister after independence from Belgium in 1960, was overthrown within months and placed under house arrest. In January 1961 he was handed over to his enemies and assassinated, one of the most shocking political killings in African history.

As Congo descended into chaos, Lumumba's family was in grave danger, and his wife Pauline and their children had nowhere safe to turn.

Nasser's secret mission

Egypt did not look away. On the direct orders of President Gamal Abdel Nasser, Colonel Saad El-Din El-Shazly, who later became one of Egypt's most celebrated military commanders, took on the task of getting Lumumba's children safely out of the country.

El-Shazly knew Congo well. He had commanded the Egyptian battalion sent there in 1960 as part of the international force during the independence crisis, at a time when Egypt firmly backed Lumumba.

The operation was carried out in complete secrecy. Lumumba's children, including his eldest son François, were smuggled out of Congo and flown to Cairo, where they arrived safely while their father was still under arrest.

A new home in Cairo

After Lumumba's death, Pauline joined the children in Egypt. Nasser offered the family protection and support, and the Egyptian government helped with their housing, schooling and other needs.

Lumumba's children grew up in Egypt, which became not just a place of refuge but a home that embraced their father's cause as a symbol of African liberation.

Pauline later spent time in Europe before returning to Congo in the late 1960s, after Lumumba began to be honoured as a national hero. She settled in Kinshasa.

Africa looking out for its own

The story is a reminder that Egypt was not just a witness to Africa's independence struggles, but an active partner in them. When Lumumba's family was in danger, an African nation stepped in to protect them.

Over to you

Did you know this part of Lumumba's story? What does it tell us about African solidarity then, and now?

He was sent to help bring a missing 14-year-old girl home safely. Instead, he became the person who harmed her.

Sinmi Asomuyide, a 33-year-old Nigerian-American former police officer in Kokomo, Indiana, has been sentenced to 40 years in a US federal prison for sexually assaulting the teenager. He will also serve three years of supervised release after his prison term.

How it happened

On 30 June 2024, the girl's father called the emergency line to report her missing as a runaway. Asomuyide, then on patrol with the Kokomo Police Department, was one of the officers who found her at the home of another underage girl.

While driving her to a youth centre, he switched off his body camera, took her phone and used it to call his own private number. He told her he would contact her later to return an item he had found on her.

Later that evening, after his shift, he went to where she was staying, picked her up while still in uniform, drove her to an empty warehouse car park and sexually assaulted her, according to court documents and GPS data from his car.

The evidence that exposed him

Asomuyide denied everything. When state police questioned him about a week later, he claimed he had never given the girl his number and that she had contacted him on a work phone, even though Kokomo officers are not issued work phones.

Within hours of the assault, he had also searched online for how to delete the messaging account he used to contact her.

But the evidence caught up with him. Investigators examining his patrol car found a stain on the centre console that matched his DNA.

In June 2026, a federal jury found him guilty after a five-day trial of violating the girl's civil rights by sexually assaulting her while on duty, witness tampering by lying to investigators, and destroying records. The judge handed down the 40-year sentence this month.

An earlier warning sign

Even more disturbing, investigators found that this was not the first allegation against him.

Before joining the Kokomo police, Asomuyide worked with the Portsmouth Police Department in Virginia. He resigned there after an allegation that he had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl while off duty. When he applied to Kokomo, he gave a false account of why he had left.

Sworn to protect

The case has shocked many, especially Nigerians at home and abroad. A police officer is trusted to protect the most vulnerable, and a missing child should be safest in the hands of the officer sent to find her.

It also raises hard questions about how a man with a previous allegation involving a minor was able to get another job in law enforcement.

Over to you

How can someone sworn to protect children become their abuser, and what should police departments do to make sure it never happens again?

Popular social media personality GehGeh has declared strong support for Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election, saying Obi stands apart because of the genuine love and confidence his supporters have in him.

"Genuine love and belief"

According to GehGeh, many Nigerians backing Obi, the NDC presidential candidate, do so because they believe he is qualified, capable and able to lead the country in a better direction.

He argued that things are different with some other candidates, whose supporters, in his view, are more interested in what they personally stand to gain if their candidate wins.

The Burkina Faso vow

GehGeh went further, saying that if Obi fails to win in 2027, he will give up on Nigeria completely and relocate to Burkina Faso.

His statement reflects his frustration with the country's political situation and his belief that Nigeria needs a different kind of leadership.

Different, or just more emotional?

His declaration also raises a fair question. Is support for Obi genuinely different from that for other politicians, or are Nigerians simply becoming more emotionally attached to their preferred candidates? Supporters of every major candidate would argue that their backing is sincere.

Over to you

Do you agree with GehGeh that Peter Obi enjoys more genuine public support than other presidential hopefuls?

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied claims that its chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, is planning to resign.

Reports dismissed

The commission dismissed the reports, which had been circulating ahead of the 2027 general elections, and maintained that the chairman is not stepping down.

Why it matters

Any change at the top of the electoral body this close to a general election would raise serious concerns about preparations for the polls. INEC has faced intense scrutiny in recent weeks, including controversy over AI-generated images in the voter register and growing tension around the "Rig and Die" slogan.

More details are expected as the story develops.

Over to you

Do you believe the INEC chairman will remain in office until the 2027 elections?

Residents of Area 1 in Abuja have reportedly been seen tearing down and destroying posters bearing the images of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

What the video shows

Footage from the scene shows a group of young men pulling down large posters mounted on wooden frames by the roadside, ripping them apart and carrying away the torn pieces as onlookers gather near market stalls.

Why the anger?

The incident has drawn attention, with many asking what could have triggered such an angry reaction.

The exact reason behind the destruction of the posters remains unclear, and no group has claimed responsibility. Even so, it has sparked discussion about public frustration and the relationship between political leaders and ordinary Nigerians as the 2027 elections approach.

Over to you

What do you think could have pushed these residents to take such action?

The Presidency has denied claims that President Bola Tinubu's convoy was attacked by stone-throwing youths after he attended Friday prayers in Abuja.

The claim

Dino Melaye, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), shared a video on Friday, 13 November 2026, which he said showed young men throwing stones at a convoy belonging to the President after prayers at the Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1. Voices in the video can be heard chanting a Hausa phrase meaning 'we don't want you'.

The Presidency's response

O'tega Ogra, the President's senior special assistant on digital engagement and new media, disputed the account on X, describing the videos as misleading and linking them to opposition figures. He released a separate video showing Tinubu leaving the mosque in white attire and a black cap, with supporters waving and taking photographs as he walked to his vehicle. It has not been independently established where or when Melaye's video was recorded.

Background

The dispute comes amid rising concern about political violence ahead of the 2027 elections. On the same day, the President issued a statement condemning violence at political gatherings, directing security agencies to act firmly against thuggery and insisting that every party must be free to campaign anywhere. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

The South African presidency has criticised Nigeria's High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, over his public complaint that his speech was cut off during the ceremony where he presented his letters of credence to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Fani-Kayode's complaint

Fani-Kayode had raised concerns about the incident, suggesting that he was interrupted while addressing the gathering during the official diplomatic ceremony.

South Africa responds

The South African presidency has rejected his account. Responding to the controversy, President Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, accused Fani-Kayode of misrepresenting the situation and of wrongly dragging the South African President into a matter that did not require his involvement.

Magwenya also described the Nigerian diplomat's handling of the issue as inappropriate.

A routine ceremony turned row

The disagreement has drawn attention to what should have been a routine diplomatic ceremony between two African countries.

Diplomatic engagements are usually guided by established protocols, and disagreements over procedure are generally expected to be handled through official channels rather than in public.

For a newly appointed high commissioner, the public exchange has raised questions about diplomatic conduct, and about how misunderstandings between representatives of friendly nations should be resolved.

Over to you

Was Fani-Kayode right to complain publicly, or should he have handled the matter quietly through diplomatic channels?

Annie Idibia's birthday has drawn warm messages from her husband's family, and one tribute in particular has fans talking.

The post

Ujah Idibia, brother of music star 2Baba, shared photos of the singer and Annie side by side on Instagram with a heartfelt caption.

"Massive birthday blessings Queen @annieidibia1. May the universe be on ur side always. Just know u are loved dearly. More love n light for u. Have a wonderful Bday," he wrote, adding heart emojis.

2Baba's like

What caught many fans' attention was that the post was liked by 2Baba's official account. Earlier, the singer had also shared Annie's photo on his Instagram story with his song 'Celebrate'.

Background

2Baba, whose real name is Innocent Idibia, and actress Annie Idibia were one of Nigeria's most talked-about celebrity couples and have children together. Their separation became public in early 2025, and 2Baba has since been linked with Edo lawmaker Natasha Osawaru. The birthday gestures from him and his family suggest goodwill remains between the two.

Iran has targeted a United States military facility in Bahrain, its first attempt to strike a US base in a Gulf state in more than two months.

What happened

US Central Command said American air defences intercepted and destroyed two Iranian attack drones launched towards Bahrain early on Friday, 13 November 2026, and reported no casualties or damage. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed through state-linked media that they had destroyed a US early-warning radar on the island, home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, in response to an alleged attack on a telecommunications tower in the southern Iranian town of Sirik. The US rejected that claim.

Escalation

The strike marks a sharp escalation after a pause since early September, during which Iran had focused on disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Hopes of a deal between Washington and Tehran appear to be fading, with President Donald Trump reportedly telling Vice-President JD Vance that the US does not need a deal.

Why it matters

The US also recently withdrew from the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, citing a travel advisory linked to the risk of conflict in the region.